Seniority: What It Is And How To Take Advantage Of It In Organizations
There is an Anglo-Saxon term that is booming at the moment in the work environment that the RAE defines as “Superior in category and experience to those who carry out the same profession or position.” We talk about seniority In other words, it refers to those people who have a lot of experience and are highly qualified in their profession.
It can be said that each organization has its own idea of what a seniority is. Some companies have predetermined scales based on different characteristics and others, however, prefer to evaluate each case in particular. However, the most common characteristics when determining the level of seniority are usually the years of experience in an area or position, the technical skills and tasks that the person is capable of carrying out, the autonomy and capacity for self-management, management and leadership skills, among others.
It is clear that within the organizational hierarchy, a person’s years of experience make a difference in many aspects and this is the main reason why they are so sought after by companies. A clear example is that an individual who has just entered the world of work requires supervision, which implies a high investment of time and money. A professional with seniority has the ability to solve more problems in less time and does not entail such an expense for the organization.
In today’s article, we will talk in depth about seniority and above all, we will focus on how organizations can take advantage of having people with this skill within their workforce. If you didn’t know the term, stay to discover what it means and its advantages for a company.
Soft skills are understood as those personal qualities required to be successful at work Seniority fits perfectly into this category. It involves professional maturity that allows you to have the appropriate skills to know how to act under pressure, provide solutions quickly and effectively, be a good leader and know how to influence others, demonstrate knowledge about what you do and, in general, have the necessary criteria. to make decisions and thus contribute to the development and growth of the organization.
How is it acquired?
How seniority develops is a frequently asked question. According to experts, it has a lot to do with the education received at home, the values, attitudes, and thoughts that have been acquired since childhood and on the other hand, experiences also play an important role. All the successes, mistakes and learning that the person has had during their working life add up significantly to acquiring the level of seniority.
What are the levels?
There are 4 levels of seniority established that classify workers based on their experience:
Myths about seniors in the workplace
There are certain preconceived ideas that are erroneous and we think it is important to highlight them. Below, we list some of them:
How to take advantage of it in organizations
Having senior talent on staff is highly beneficial for organizations and we will analyze what advantages they have and how companies can get the most out of this group of people.
First of all, it is clear that Experience is one of the strongest points to take advantage of senior people The extensive knowledge of their work and the world of work makes them more decisive, more informed and simply work more fluidly and effectively. Likewise, communication is essential within a company and senior people are able to explain their ideas clearly and concisely to interact with clients or their superiors appropriately.
Thanks to their experience, these individuals have a great ability to adapt to changes and new circumstances. For example, experts affirm that in the COVID-19 pandemic, it was possible to observe how quickly and easily this group adapted to teleworking and the new work rhythm. In addition, senior talent optimally assumes team leadership, a quality highly in demand in companies. They have a great capacity for teamwork and are able to analyze problems and find effective solutions using critical thinking.
The world of work always seeks the perfect balance between talent and experience It seems to be the magic mixture that resolves all conflicts. Intergenerational diversity is key to combining experiences, strengths, weaknesses and sensitivities to bring out the best in each employee and thus improve the quality of life within the organization.
